Destiny Gardiner - BOLD Stories
Destiny Gardiner ‘18
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Destiny Gardiner had no intention of moving to Canada for university. Originally from the Bahamas, Destiny’s vision was to attend university in the United States and become a doctor.
Little did she know it would be during a post-secondary fair at her high school that her entire career path and life would change. “Brescia had sent the latest Viewbook to my high school and something grabbed my attention enough that I brought it home. It wasn’t until my mom made a joke about moving to Canada because of how beautiful Brescia at Western looked that things became more serious.”
As she and her family began to learn more about the programs and services offered at Brescia, a rare but perfectly timed opportunity arose for Destiny. Brescia was seeking applications for the former annual Take the Lead public speaking competition; where young women would choose an inspiring woman in their life to speak about. “I wasn’t a great public speaker, but something was drawing me in to apply. We were to speak about a woman in our life that inspires us. I wrote about my mom, submitted the speech and went on with life.”
A few weeks later, Destiny was notified that she was chosen as a semi-finalist. She and her mom travelled, for the first time ever, to Canada.
While in London for the competition, Destiny had the opportunity to tour the city of London and Western’s campus as well as meet other students from the Bahamas.
“Coming to London and Brescia immediately felt like home and I wasn’t even part of
the university yet. I submitted my application to Brescia during the time of the competition
– I knew I was meant to be there.”
Although she didn’t take home the grand prize, Destiny received admission into Brescia
along with several entrance scholarships.
Her family packed up everything and moved to Canada.
Destiny was still certain she wanted to become a doctor, but it was during an Introduction to Psychology class that she fell in love with the social sciences. After that, she switched her degree to Psychology and Leadership Studies.
Not only did Destiny excel in her academic studies, but she also made it a personal goal to be as involved as possible and try new extracurriculars, even if it meant going outside her comfort zone. Some of her experiences include President of the Multi-Cultural Club, representative for Students’ Council and Brescia Council, work-study student in the International and Communications departments as well as involved in a Caribbean student-led organization at Western University.
“You only go to university for the first time once. Moving to a new country is a lot
but the support systems and ways to get involved at Brescia made the experience I
had better than I ever could have asked for or imagined.”
As an international student, Destiny was eligible for continuing scholarships and
bursaries, which she was grateful to have received to alleviate some of the costs
associated with attending post-secondary. “I was so thankful to the donors and their
families who saw my need and knew who I could become in the future.”
It was during her fourth year that Destiny was looking for ways to give back to Brescia after what became, as she describes, some of the best years of her life. She knew of the various generous international student-specific awards offered but was interested in creating an award that was intended for Bahamian students wanting to study at Brescia.
“I wanted to be that person who could support another student - to tell them that they have my love and that I see their vision for who they want to be.”
For the first time in 2023, the Destiny Gardiner Vision Award is available to an international Brescia student. Preference will be given to a first-year student, in good academic standing, with financial need and from the Bahamas or a Caribbean country. This one-time award is valued at $1000. The deadline to apply is September 15, annually.
"Brescia has my support. I wouldn’t have gotten through university without the financial
support I earned, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t choose Brescia.
I met so many people, built many connections and had countless faculty pour into my
potential during all four years and long after graduation.”
After graduating from Brescia in 2018, Destiny went on to pursue a diploma in Human
Resources at Western Continuing Studies and is currently a Recruitment and Compensation
Advisor at University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre.
As a final note, Destiny offered her wisdom to the Class of 2027 beginning their studies at Brescia this fall:
- Give yourself grace – high school and university are so different. Learn about the resources you have available to you and where you can get help if you need it.
- Trust yourself – I changed my degree twice and ended up exactly where I was meant to be.
- Let yourself enjoy the little things and don’t be afraid to fail.
- Use your first year as an opportunity to figure out who you are – if you do that, everything else will come naturally.
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